Pipeline preview: Palka ready to start a hot streak

After hitting a pair of homers in Wednesday's win, Palka will be looking to provide more offensive fireworks Thursday night. In Palka's first season with the Twins - he was acquired in a trade with the D-backs during the offseason -- and at the Double-A Level, Palka is hitting .268 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 48 games. Wednesday's two homer game may be a sign that Palka is about to get hot at the plate, but a big offensive performance won't come easy Thursday as he is set to face Carson Fulmer, the No. 33 overall prospect.

Here's a look at top prospects to watch Thursday in Minor League action:

After hitting a pair of homers in Wednesday's win, Palka will be looking to provide more offensive fireworks Thursday night. In Palka's first season with the Twins - he was acquired in a trade with the D-backs during the offseason -- and at the Double-A Level, Palka is hitting .268 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 48 games. Wednesday's two homer game may be a sign that Palka is about to get hot at the plate, but a big offensive performance won't come easy Thursday as he is set to face Carson Fulmer, the No. 33 overall prospect.

Shipley is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA through 10 starts this season and is coming off his longest start of the year as he pitched eight innings. The D-backs' top prospect was victimized by the home run ball in his last outing -- he gave up a trio of blasts -- but has only given up a total of four homers in 62 1/3 innings this season so it's reasonable to expect he will do a better job of keeping the ball in the yard Thursday.

Up until his last start, it was hard to find any flaw in Means' 2016 campaign. The Orioles' prospect has pitched exceptionally well and despite giving up four earned runs in 5 1/3 in his last outing, he is 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA through 10 starts. It will be interesting to see how he responds to the first adversity he's faced in 2016.

Beede, the Giants' first-round selection in 2014, has thrown seven innings in each of his last two starts and has been very consistent for Richmond. Beede has a 3.53 ERA through nine starts, but has lost his last two decisions and hasn't recorded a win since May 3.